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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

679.0. "Trying to switch pediatricians" by ULTRA::ELLIS (David Ellis) Mon Feb 04 1991 16:42

Our 21 month old son has across the board developmental delays, and we have
placed him in private therapy as well as a local early intervention 
program.  Everybody involved with his care has let us know that they expect
our pediatrician to coordinate all the various tests, reports and results.

However, our pediatrician insists our son is fine and refuses to admit that 
any developmental intervention is called for, let alone coordinate his
developmental care.  He has even told us that we are making life more 
difficult for our son by placing him in early intervention.

We have asked for and gotten recommendations for pediatricians in the 
Framingham, MA area who are more oriented towards developmental concerns, but 
every pediatrician recommended to us is not taking new patients other than 
newborns.  Nor has any of them agreed to put us on a waiting list.

Why is it so difficult to switch pediatricians?  What can we do to get
better pediatric care?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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679.1Have you tried a GP?MLCSSE::LANDRYjust passen' by...and goin' nowhereMon Feb 04 1991 16:4716
    
    David,
    
    	Have you tried a General Practitioner instead of a Pediatrician?  I
    have a GP for myself and the girls and he has no problem whatever
    referring us to any specialist he feels we have need for.  I need a GP
    for my kids insurance (which they get from their father).  However, I'm
    confident in him also.
    
    	One other good thing about a GP is that once the child is no longer
    in need of Pediatric care, they just stay with the same doctor anyway
    no matter how old they get.
    
    
    						jean
    
679.2My experienceDATABS::TAYLORMon Feb 04 1991 21:4040
    RE: .1

    David,

    I can't recommend a way to find a pediatrician, but I can talk to you
    about my experiences with physicians with my son's developmental delays.

    My doctor also "poo-poo-ed" the idea of special treatment when at 26
    months the speech and hearing ctr recommended speech therapy. He
    thought that it was ridiculous to put such a young child in speech
    therapy. (I've since learned they do speech therapy for newborns!)
    Anyway, I had to sell him on the idea that I thought there were other
    delays. I got him to refer me to Early Intervention and that was the
    end of his role. I haven't seen him since. Early Intervention takes
    care of overseeing my son's progress and recommends and coordinates his
    treatment. He sees occupational therapist, speech therapists, physical
    therapists as needed.

    By the way, there are 2 schools of thought regarding early
    intervention. Some people do truly believe that EIP can't help the
    child. I got lots of pushback from family and friends when I first
    enrolled my son. I did tons and tons of research, talked to all types
    of specialists and read all kinds of books. I finally decided that I
    would take EIP one step at a time and push back on anything that seemed
    harmful or intrusive. 

    Well, I'm happy to report that EIP has been nothing but a wonderful
    experience. The people are wonderful and I truly feel that my son loves
    it there. The first day when I was very cautious I pushed back on a few
    things that I felt were too minor to bother with and after that I've
    welcomed all their suggestions. Most of the suggestions for therapy are
    simply games and fun for the child.

    Good luck in getting your pedi to cooperate - or in finding another
    pedi. Can EIP help you find a pedi? They seem to help us with
    EVERYTHING!

    Regards.

    Gale
679.3What about Childrens?MSESU::HOPKINSGive PEACE a chanceTue Feb 05 1991 13:553
    Framingham is so close to Boston, I'd try Children's Hospital.  As far
    as I am concerned there is no better place.
    
679.4Don't know if this helps...CRUISE::CSTAREKFri Feb 08 1991 19:074
    I have a pediatrician who has offices in Auburn and Shrewsbury.
    He is highly recommended by the Early Intervention program.
    If you're interested give me a call at DTN 297-2082.
    
679.5Just a stab in the dark, but...ULTRA::DONAHUEMon Feb 11 1991 15:115
    What about Digital's EAP?? I'm sure they could find some one to help
    you in your dilemma.

    Just a suggestion
    Norma
679.6Try a family practitionerFDCV06::HSCOTTLynn Hanley-ScottFri Feb 15 1991 16:184
    Another name, too, for GP is family practitioner - the advantage is
    that they see everyone in the family.
    
    
679.7 Look into Boston ChlidrensDOCTP::WATSONMon Feb 18 1991 15:5216
    
    I second calling Childrens hospital. My pediatrician works out
    of childrens hospital and his office is in No. Andover.
    
    Also, I went through the same thing when I changed pediatricians last 
    year. I was told by my present pediatrician the reason I had so much 
    trouble is the doctors in the area have (his words) "A GOOD OLD BOY 
    POLICY". They don't take other doctors patients. Since the pediatrician 
    I choose works out of Boston Childrens hospital he's not part of the 
    local "GOOD OLD BOY" network and he's just great.
    
    Good Luck
    
    Sue